Chapter 9: Grace: Unwelcome Advances
I have to leave the pack.
This realization is a long time coming, but when I wake up to Rafe's face staring down at me, in the relative safety of my own room, it's a decision made for me.
I'm not safe anywhere. Not even where I sleep.
"Don't shout," he whispers, placing a hand over my mouth.
I wasn't going to, anyway. No one would come to my aid here.
My nod seems to relieve him, because he lets me go and sits on my bed without asking for permission.
I sit up, my fingers clutching the blanket and pulling it over my chest. The thin fabric offers little protection, but it's all I have against Rafe's piercing blue gaze. I'm still wearing my clothes from yesterday, but being in my bed—in my room—leaves me feeling vulnerable.
My heart pounds, a traitorous rhythm that threatens to betray my resolve.
"What are you doing here?"
Rafe's sun-bright hair catches the dim light, a halo around his perfect features. His blue eyes, once a source of comfort, now make my stomach twist.
All I can see is how he dumped me for Ellie the moment he realized they were mates.
"How are you doing, Grace?"
His hand reaches for mine. I flinch away, pressing myself against the headboard.
"What are you doing here?" The words come out sharper this time.
Rafe's shoulders slump, and he runs a hand through his hair, mussing the perfect strands. "I'm worried about you."
A harsh laugh escapes my lips before I can stop it. "That's rich."
"I mean it, Grace. I care about you."
"You have a funny way of showing it."
His sad facade fades as his jaw clenches. There's a tick beneath his skin, a twitching that only serves to remind me he's changed. Like a personality transplant. Or, worse—I never knew him at all. "It's complicated."
"No, it's not. You chose her. You made that perfectly clear."
lack of submission must anger his wolf,
came out with more scorn and
leans forward, his scent washing over me. Trees and earth and everything I once called home. "Grace, please. I never meant to hurt
did." The words hang between us, heavy and undeniable.
and this time I let him take my hand. His touch sends sparks racing up my arm, and I hate myself for the way
you,"
moment, I let myself believe him. Let myself imagine a world where we could go back to the way things were. But then I remember Ellie's cruel smile. His indifference in the forest, when I was near-naked and terrified. And how impossible it is for me to remain
miss me. You don't get to come in here and
Rafe's voice rises, and I flinch. He takes a deep breath, visibly trying to calm himself. "I know things are
So I laugh. A brittle, sharp, broken sound. "Like how your new mate treats me like dirt? How the entire
twists into something ugly, before it smooths out again. He leans forward, grabbing my hand and holding tight,
my head, disbelief coursing through me. "It's not just about how Ellie treats me. It's about how you let her treat me. How you stand by and
go against my mate, Grace.
are you here?" I demand, anger finally overtaking the hurt. "What do you want from
the way
tempted. To give in, to let him kiss me, to pretend that nothing
I hate him.
miss
of
scrambling out of bed.
"Grace—"
The temptation of the familiar is terrifying.
found so attractive now feeling oppressive. "You're mine, Grace. You've
much my heart hurts. Again. "No, I'm not. I'm human, remember? I don't belong to this pack, and I certainly don't
over me. His eyes blaze with amber fire; his wolf is fighting for control. He
wall beside my head. "You're just angry with me. It's okay, Gracie. I understand. I get
a hand, brushing it against my jaw in a
not the Rafe
about my feelings. My thoughts. He wanted
ever claim to own
pleas. "I just want
eyes drawn to my lips. "We'll keep it quiet. I promise I
she's not
his eyes, even as his hand strokes my cheek in a gentle caress. "It's okay, Gracie. I'll
my hand, in soft, sensual kisses that only make my
going to get you back. You'll see. You were meant
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UNbnoYCQH+m2i0KKmLfXClDxYBWdZISW6B/5FRyq+TGFBGHNeA47VFdpgYHF4MRSO3pT7skQ3lsv2bh/Oes2D9yN/bEpOM3LtKiFA3/zX1pTil+TVPs4opcbenrwAI/cx8oC7OybcSmkGKhTpRPhkDDn1M+VnvSW240FPm/cEQqXVf3V/IqCnyF/6T04HD9YrHT7ErVCro4sEXIlldhE9/FK1RIAb8idGCg8HIeUxODlXAu3i8oblnLtXtDnTi/oUk34t6SdCvrnkjPDejZlOteZXbZyJt4X64FtU4hFY/kuF9puiC2mLullZbubIfqrhpFu5Yt1GIWrlvs7x1wOpK0iNgRNnMqnedmeMz9dDA+tAPvnjWd3mLrTJGttKKfsEov5u7o5hS33gDacvYR1EIIyVg0P6yoDr0V9hg==
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